Medicare Special Enrollment Period - State of Emergency in North Carolina

As you may be aware, a State of Emergency has been declared in North Carolina due to the severe weather affecting much of the state. The emergency is effective January 8 until February 7 (unless the governor rescinds the order earlier). 

For anyone living in North Carolina, a Special Enrollment Period is now available for Medicare until April 7, 2024.

What Is a Special Enrollment Period?

A Special Enrollment Period (SEP) is any time outside the annual Open Enrollment Period when you can sign up for Medicare. Usually, you qualify for a SEP if you’re impacted by certain life events, like losing your health coverage, getting married, moving states or having a child. 

But you can also qualify for a SEP if you’re affected by an emergency or disaster declared by a federal, state or local government when you couldn’t or didn’t make an election in the last enrollment period. 

This includes enrollment (enrolling in a healthcare plan or making changes) and disenrollment (opting out of healthcare) elections.

How to Know if You’re Eligible

If you currently live in an area where a disaster or state of emergency has been officially declared, you’re automatically eligible. You’re also eligible if you were living in the SEP eligibility area at the beginning of the state of emergency. 

If you rely on getting help with your health care from someone who lives in the affected area, you could also qualify for the SEP.

You may also be able to enroll if you were eligible for another election period during the SEP eligibility period and didn’t make an election during that period because of the state of emergency.

How SEP Works With a State of Emergency or Disaster

When a State of Emergency is declared, the SEP typically starts on the date the government formally announces it or the date the incident begins. 

It runs for two full calendar months following the official end date announced in the declaration or when the end of the incident is formally announced (whichever is later). 

To prove your eligibility for the SEP, you may need proof that you were affected, such as proof of address showing you live in the affected area. 

Need Help Choosing The Right Medicare Plan?

If you have any questions about your eligibility or which Medicare plan is right for you, our experienced team of locally-based Medicare agents is here to help. 

Our agents throughout North Carolina specialize in finding the right Medicare plan for your health care needs and budget.

Get in touch today to see how we can help.